Auston Matthews' agent slams NHL Player Safety over Radko Gudas suspension.

The fallout surrounding the recent injury to Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is far from over and in fact I suspect this is a story we may still be hearing about come the start of the 2026-27 National Hockey League regular season.

On Friday, the NHL's Department of Player Safety sparked outrage when they announced that Anaheim Ducks captain Radko Gudas would only be suspended 5 games for the knee on knee hit that we now know has put an end to Auston Matthews' season.

Fans and pundits alike have expressed their displeasure at the decision, but the latest example of this comes directly from a source that couldn't possibly be any closer to Matthews himself. Matthews' agent, Judd Moldaver, spoke out following the announcement on Friday and made it crystal clear that his camp is not happy with the NHL's decision.

Moldaver wrote a scathing message regarding both the Department of Player Safety as well as the National Hockey League itself, scolding Gary Bettman and company for allowing a decision of this nature to come down in the first place.

From Moldaver:

"In light of the obvious severity of the play, I am disappointed and shocked the league would allow such a ruling. A phone hearing and 5 games is laughable and preposterous.

While the process is set in our CBA, that this was the discipline is reckless and ridiculous.

This decision results in a further loss of confidence in the disciplinary process for all players.

Players and fans deserve better. The Player Safety Department should be suspended."

The Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks will cross paths again at the end of this month when the Maple Leafs travel to Anaheim. Gudas will have served his suspension by that time but Matthews will of course remain out of the lineup due to injury. I fully expect that we will see some fireworks in that game as a result of the controversy that continues to stem from this incident.